South Africa u18 Sevens earn bronze at Commonwealth Youth Games, Scotland shocks Fiji in final
The SA u18 Sevens team won the Bronze Medal at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad & Tobago with a dominant 52-0 display over Canada in the final match of their campaign on Tuesday.
After losing to Scotland narrowly by 19-17 with a last-second try on Monday, the Baby Blitzbokke would need to beat Fiji on the final day to secure a rematch with the U18 Flying Fijians in the final.
The physicality of the Fiji boys seemed to rattle us early on in the match, and by the time we found our rhythm it was too late, they managed to hold on to the lead for a 17-10 victory, leaving South Africa to compete for the bronze.
James Nero, from Durbanville, who has emerged as one of the standout players over the course of this tournament, scored against the mighty Islanders and Gino Cupido, from Strand, also got over the line in that match.
Nero scored 10 tries during the tournament, the most of any South African player, and is definitely a player with a bright future ahead of him, whichever format he chooses to pursue.
In the third-place playoff against Canada, the boys raised their game to end the tournament on a high. After beating them 38-0 on Monday, South Africa seemed to shift up a gear on Tuesday, running 52 unanswered points by the Canadians.
Northwood’s Siyanda Nkosi has also been a standout at this tournament, crossing the line four times against Trinidad & Tobago earlier in the week.
Both Nkosi and Nero scored a final brace each in the match against Canada, Samuel Badenhorst, from Paul Roos, and Siyabonga Ndlozi, Westville Boys’ High’s flyer, both also stood out for their team in that match.
Scotland shocked the top-seeded Fiji in the final of the tournament.
After trading equal blows in the first half, they went into the break at 10-all.
Fiji’s captain, Ralulu Josaia, received a second yellow card early in the second half leading to a red card.
Scotland looked to have stolen a famous victory, scoring with less than a minute left in the game to take a 20-15 lead, but Ratu Seruisavou, who has been amazing for Fiji throughout the tournament, got over the line after regulation time had elapsed to force the Scots into extra time.
With the tournament rules stating that in the event of extra time, the first team to score wins, and Scotland still being a player up because of the red card, they were able to secure a famous upset over Fiji, who looked to be the clear favourites throughout the week.
Having lost to Fiji 32-5 on Monday, the Scots should be commended for turning it around before their game against SA, and carrying the momentum through to the final to be crowned the Commonwealth Youth Games rugby sevens champions for 2023.
Scorers:
Final:
Scotland 25 (10) – Tries: Ben Morriss, Fergus Watson, Jack Craig, Ritchie Mitchell, Ross Burnie. Fiji 20 (10) – Marika Rabonu, Nasoni Tuifaloa, Ratu Seruisavou, Mariko Ravuiwasa.
Third place:
South Africa 52 (26) – Tries: James Nero (2), Siyanda Nkosi (2), Luann Olivier, Siyabonga Ndlozi, Samuel Badenhorst, Bernardo Diedericks. Conversions: Nkosi (6). Canada 0.
Group stage:
Fiji 17 (5) – Tries: Marika Rabonu, Ponipate Kurewaka, Mariko Ravuiwasa. Conversion: Anasa Korotini. South Africa 10 (5) – Tries: Gino Cupido, James Nero.
The team:
Siyanda Nkosi (Northwood), Stephanus Linde (Voortrekker), Jeffwin Wesso (Outeniqua), Luann Olivier (Garsfontein), James Nero (Hoërskool Durbanville), Thandolwami Ntshangase (Durban High School), Gino Cupido (Strand), Siybonga Ndlozi (Westville), Lavela Pongolo (Grey High), Bernardo Diedericks (Robertson), Samuel Badenhorst (Paul Roos), Luan Giliomee (Charlie Hofmeyr), Marno Stopforth (Grey College).
